Port Shepstone Secondary Class of ’85 reunites for hospice
The reunion wasn't only about having fun, but raising funds for a worthy cause.
Finally, after working at the South Coast Herald for almost four decades, I get to write a story. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and a very big ‘wow’.
However, I assume this is only because my editor, David Rush, and I support the same football team.
Unfortunately, that team has not performed well this season.
I have been here seemingly forever, not as a news hound but working in classifieds and on features.
Many years ago, my colleague Shireen Govender, and I started selling advertising features focused on raising funds for various charities.
Shireen, fondly known as ‘SG’, was my colleague of 37 years, my sister-in-law and my friend.
Raising funds for South Coast Hospice was a project we held particularly close to our hearts and we loved engaging with businesses and the community.
Sadly, Shireen died two years ago after a sudden illness but her memories and her legacy lives on.
As most know, South Coast Hospice is a non-profit organisation, providing palliative care for patients who are terminally ill.
It is funded through a combination of medical aid, patient contribution, charity organisation and public donations.
Every year, the South Coast Herald is involved in two fundraisers for hospice, one in May (Hospice Week) and the other in November (Tree of Light).
On a personal note, I had the honour of organising the most epic of reunions for Port Shepstone Secondary Class of 1985.
Together with an awesome task team we created an enchanted night with nostalgia overload, with some of us going all the way back to pre-school days.
The guys, some balding but still charming and charismatic; the girls, not so slim anymore, but bold and beautiful with fuller figures.
We danced like we were young again, and then reached for the Panados and Voltaren the next day!
Amidst the fun, laughter and reminiscing a brilliant idea emerged.
Denver Pillay, a well-respected local businessman, initiated a fundraiser for hospice.
The reunion class responded in style, raising a whopping R21 000.
As the saying goes, ‘everyone has 1001 problems, till they only have one – their health’.
Special mention was made of three cancer survivors and other classmates fighting different illnesses who made it to the reunion.
Bravo!
To you, the reader: if you are planning a function, do what we did.
It’s not a challenge but a humble request.
Raise funds for hospice or a charity organisation of your choice.
Let’s make a difference. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle so don’t underestimate the little that you can do.
If you don’t have cash, you can donate in kind.
Do that spring clean that you have been putting off for months, and get the unwanted items to the hospice thrift shops.
If you have time on hand, volunteer your services at hospice, which is based in Port Shepstone, 29 Connor Street.
United you can do a lot together and together you will never walk alone.
Yes, I am a Liverpool football fan!
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